Hitz Fellow, Fossil Fuel-Al Nexus

Responsibilities

• AI-Fossil Fuel Nexus Research
• Working in collaboration with staff from the Climate Accountability and Power Ahead Campaigns
• Scoping, designing, and conducting rigorous, novel research and analyses on the energy demand, emissions, and justice implications of AI-driven data center expansion
• Compiling and analyzing available data on electricity demand from AI workloads and the power supplying major data center hubs
• Employing triangulation strategies to address data scarcity
• Analyzing corporate sustainability reports, SEC filings, energy procurement contracts, and lobbying efforts by tech, utilities, and fossil fuel companies
• Conducting discourse analysis of public statements, press releases, and marketing materials from major tech firms to identify greenwashing narratives
• Using GIS to overlay data center locations, existing and proposed gas plants, and diesel generator sites with EJ Screen indicators to identify disproportionately burdened communities in the U.S.
• Ensuring that principles of diversity, equity, justice, inclusivity, and accessibility are effectively integrated into analytic projects
• Publishing findings in a respected scientific journal (e.g., a peer-reviewed paper on AI-driven electricity demand and fossil fuel dependence)
• Mapping regulatory loopholes, outdated grid rules, and accounting practices enabling greenwashing and fossil fuel dependence in the data center sector
• Engaging and collaborating with UCS to work on policy implications of findings
• Science Communication
• Authoring a report or factsheet on the AI-Fossil Fuel Nexus with findings on data center energy sources, emissions, and corporate claims
• Publishing findings in a respected scientific journal (evidenced by a peer-reviewed paper on AI-driven electricity demand and fossil fuel dependence)
• Writing blog posts for UCS's blog, The Equation
• Producing infographics and short videos
• Drafting op-eds/LTEs for major outlets

Qualifications and Experience

• A PhD in energy systems, environmental policy, geography, data science, or a closely related discipline
• Experience designing and executing interdisciplinary or mixed-methods research
• Research design, statistical analysis, scientific writing, and the ability to translate technical findings for non-expert audiences
• Proficiency in a scripting language (Python preferred; R or Julia acceptable)
• Familiarity with version control and git/GitHub
• Experience with emissions accounting, energy-systems analysis, corporate-disclosure research, and narrative or discourse analysis
• Familiarity with the AI landscape, tech policy, and environmental justice
• A demonstrated commitment to justice and public-interest research
• Experience with GIS, community-based research collaborations, and ongoing engagements within the scientific community